What is one potential risk of inducing a cough reflex in patients during testing?

Inducing a cough reflex in patients during testing carries the potential risk of inducing severe coughing fits or bronchospasm. This is particularly significant because the cough reflex involves the irritation of the airways, which can lead to heightened airway responsiveness. In individuals with sensitive airways or underlying respiratory conditions, such as asthma, triggering a cough can cause an exaggerated response that leads to difficulty breathing, an increase in airway resistance, or even an acute exacerbation of their condition.

Furthermore, severe coughing fits can be distressing for patients and may complicate the testing process, making it difficult to obtain accurate results. This potential complication underscores the importance of assessing each patient’s respiratory health prior to conducting tests that may induce the cough reflex, ensuring that the risks are appropriately managed.